Most of us don’t wake up intending to serve money. And yet, over time, financial pressure, goals, and anxieties can quietly begin shaping our decisions, priorities, and even our sense of security.

Jesus addresses this directly in Luke 16:13: “You cannot serve God and money.” But that doesn’t mean money has no place in the life of a believer. It simply means money must never be our master.

The invitation of Scripture is far better: not to serve money, but to serve God with money.

One of the most important starting points is recognizing that money is not inherently bad—it’s a gift.

Ecclesiastes 5:19 reminds us, “Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them—this is the gift of God.”

God is not opposed to provision or even enjoyment. In fact, when Jesus fed the five thousand in Matthew 14, He didn’t just meet the need—there were twelve baskets left over. The message isn’t excess for its own sake, but that God’s provision is abundant and generous.

When we begin here, with gratitude, money shifts from something we grasp for to something we receive.

At the same time, money carries real spiritual weight.

1 Timothy 6:10 says, “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.” Notice—it’s not money itself, but our love for it that leads us astray.

Money has a way of exposing our hearts. Every financial decision—spending, saving, giving—asks a deeper question: What am I trusting right now?

Money is morally neutral, but how we use it is deeply spiritual.

Scripture consistently points us beyond accumulation.

Ephesians 4:28 tells us to work “so that [we] may have something to share with anyone in need.” That’s a profound shift. We don’t earn simply to build our own lives—we earn to participate in God’s provision for others.

This reframes everything:

Money finds its greatest purpose when it flows outward, not when it’s hoarded inward.

Jesus’ words in Luke 16:13 remind us that money must remain a servant, never a master.

John Wesley captured this beautifully when he wrote: “Money is an excellent gift of God… it is food for the hungry, drink for the thirsty, raiment for the naked.”

That’s a picture of redeemed money—money used for purposes that reflect the heart of God.

There’s one more truth that frees us: money is temporary.

1 Timothy 6:7 says, “We brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.”

Every dollar we manage is something we steward for a season. But how we use it can have a lasting impact. When we remember that:

So before your next financial decision—whether it’s spending, saving, investing, or giving—try asking: “Lord, how can this money serve You and others?”

Because money is never the destination. It’s a tool placed in our hands to accomplish something far greater than ourselves.

This is a key theme explored in Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship—a devotional designed to help you see money not as something to chase, but as a tool to align your heart with God’s purposes.

You can get your copy—or order for your church or small group—at FaithFi.com/Shop.

Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.